Join national and community leaders in discussing Hawai‘i’s innovation economy, E Kamakani Noi‘i: The Wind That Seeks Knowledge. This symposium will be convened under the auspices of the STEP Board’s current work on Competing in the 21st Century: Best Practice in State and Regional Innovation Initiatives. The goal of the conference The goal of the conference is to engage Hawai‘i business and political leaders with high-level U.S. government offcials & others positioned to help drive innovation, business formation, and growth in Hawai‘i. We will convene local and national leaders to highlight the accomplishments and growth of the innovation ecosystem in Hawai‘i, while identifying needs, challenges, and opportunities. Importantly, the conference will allow us to discuss a series of proposed initiatives to strengthen Hawai‘i’s innovation and technology infrastructure and identify areas where federal,
state, and foundation contributions could generate positive synergies. The meeting will also draw attention to the scale and focus of foreign competitive programs and consider their implications for Hawai‘i and the nation while highlighting Hawai‘i’s potential as a Pacific center for innovation. The National Academy plans to issue a report based on the conference that will reinforce these goals and enhance understanding of the accomplishments and potential of the state.

Co-sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i and the National
Academy of Sciences’ Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy (STEP)

E Kamakani Noi‘ i
Speakers include:

The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, United State Senate

The Honorable Neil Abercrombie, Governor, State of Hawai‘i

The Honorable Steven Chu, Secretary, Department of Energy (I)

Ms. Ginger Lew, Senior Advisor, White House National Economic Council

Dr. M.R.C. Greenwood, President, University of Hawai‘i

Dr. Mary Good, Dean of Engineering, University of Arkansas Little Rock and Member, National Academy of Engineering